Gir National Park: An ideal home for Asiatic Lions

Gir National Park

Gir National Park, located in the Indian state, Gujarat, is an important wildlife sanctuary of Asia owing to the number of endangered species that it supports. The species of Asiatic Lion India managed to rescue from extinction have flourished in this national park. In recent times, it is the only natural abode of Asiatic lions on the planet. Owing to the efforts of wildlife activists, forest department and NGOs, the population of this animal species has seen a steady increase over the years. It is one of the big cats found in India; others being the Indian Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Bengal Tiger and Snow Leopard.

Gir National Park Asiatic lion

Johann N. Meyer, an Austrian zoologist, had first described the Asiatic lion under the zoological name, 'Felis leo persicus'. As compared to the African lion, it has a lesser developed mane and larger tail tuft. Since it formerly occurred in Persia, it is also known as the 'Persian Lion'. The advent of firearms was largely responsible for the extinction of Asiatic lions in regions like Palestine, Baluchistan, Mesopotamia, Iran and Turkey. As they are well-preserved in Gir, the national park has become a favourite destination of many wildlife lovers who desire to catch a glimpse of this animal. An accommodation in Gir gives them the opportunity to explore different species of flora and fauna in the wildlife sanctuary.

This national park is open to visitors from the month of November to May. It remains closed during the rainy season which falls between the months of June and October. Winter season from December to March is the best time to visit Gir for tourists, as the climate is pleasant around this time of the year and there are greater chances of spotting lions and other wild animals. They can also learn more about the wildlife of this region at the Interpretation Zone in Gir.

Spotting Animals Of Gir Is Easier In The Interpretation Zone

Nilgai at Gir Forest

Every year, many leisure tourists and wildlife enthusiasts explore Gir National Park located in the Indian state, Gujarat, to get a glimpse of Asiatic Lions. Its abundant flora and fauna has received complete protection from the Forest Department, non-governmental organizations, and wildlife activists over the years. This has helped immensely in conserving the endangered species of wild animals found in the wildlife sanctuary. A Gir forest wildlife safari enables tourists to explore the diverse forms of wildlife in the national park. Tourists who wish to explore lions and other animals within a short time at affordable rates can visit the Gir Interpretation Zone at Devalia.

Male Asiatic Lion in Sasan Gir

It was established to reduce the crowd of tourists visiting Gir Forest and National Park and to provide safety to different species of wild animals by keeping them at one place. The interpretation zone has over 400 hectares of fenced area, which covers diverse habitats of Gir National Park. People on their Gir holidays would get an opportunity to spot Asiatic Lions and many other wild animals in their natural habitat while touring this particular area. A large variety of flora and plenty of rare birds are among the other attractions that visitors would come across while exploring the Gir Interpretation Zone.

Chital

The interpretation zone is open on all days except Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the morning and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the evening. Air travellers can get to the national park either from the Rajkot Airport or Ahmedabad Airport. Sasan Gir is the nearest railway station for people travelling by trains, from where, they can take a bus or taxi to reach Devalia. Gir is also connected to the nearby cities by road. The resorts in Gir provide comfortable accommodations for tourists looking forward to have a comfortable stay during their vacation.

Enjoy An Exciting Jeep Safari In Gir

 

Asiatic Lions in Sasan Gir National Park

A large number of curious tourists make a trip to Gir National Park every year to watch the Asiatic Lions in action. This is the only place where they can witness these animals in their natural surrounding. Owing to the conservation efforts undertaken by the authorities, they have been saved from extinction. The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Indian state, Gujarat, and is close to Somnath. There are many other attractions in Gir other than the Asiatic Lions.

Jeep safaris are the best way to watch the wild animals of Gir National Park closely. This wildlife sanctuary opens for visitors from mid-October till mid-June, while the Interpretation Zone is one of the fantastic places to visit in Gir and is open throughout the year for tourists. Visitors can also click some excellent snaps of their favourite birds and animals during their jeep safaris. Unlike the other wildlife reserves of India, elephants or canters are not used for safaris in Gir. Jeeps and guides for the wildlife safaris are made available by the Forest Department. Watching the Lions in their natural habitat from the jeep's open roof would be a truly memorable experience for Gir's tourists.

Jeep Safari In Gir

Tourists visiting Gir National Park would need a comfortable place to stay during their vacation spent in this region. There are some great resorts located close to the wildlife reserve, which provide well-furnished rooms and family suites. Comfortable air-conditioning, LCD television, tea-coffee maker and an excellent room service are some of the facilities that a popular Gir forest resort provides. Such resorts also have additional amenities like a swimming pool, Steam and Sauna bath, travel desk and taxi services for sightseeing and airport transfers. Multi-cuisine restaurants in them create a perfect atmosphere for dining and serve mouth-watering local as well as other popular delicacies.

The Taste of Gujarat lies in its variety of cuisines

 

Gujrat

Gujarat located in western India and bordering the state of Maharashtra, has a totally diverse topography with a long coastal line as well as towering peaks like Saputara and the mountains of Gir. The widespread desert or the great Rann of Kutch is another topographical variant in a single state. The various regimes that have ruled this region in the past have left their mark in the form of art and architecture, which is a fine blend of Islamic and Hindu craftsmanship. The two communities have helped this region which gave us great national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel reach the zenith of architectural excellence. 

Gujrati Cuisines

 

In this blog let us talk more about the taste of Gujarat lying in its exclusive cuisines. As mentioned earlier, this state in western India has a long coastline havinghidden treasures of seafood. But surprisingly the people of Gujarat referred to as Gujaratis prefer pure vegetarian food. This is due to the deep influence of Jainism in this region. Jain religion strongly condemns non vegetarian food as well as the slaughter of animals. So the normal Gujarati food called Bhojan consists mainly of Roti, Dal, Rice and vegetables. Gujaratis prefer milk products and sweets hence milk and its by-products thus obtained during pasteurization are available in huge quantities. The cuisines differ from place to place in the state but the basic food habits remain the same. The people of this region prefer side dishes rather than regular food. Some of the popular side dishes or snacks in the region are Dhokla, which is made from the combination of rice and chickpeas. It is consumed in mostly during breakfast. Other popular dishes of Gujarat are Kachori, Khandvi and khaman. Phaphda, Sev and Ganthiya are the popular snacks of Gujarat. 

United-21 Vanvaso Gir Multi Cuisine Restaurant

 

To experience the authentic taste of Gujarat, do visit Gujarat. Luckily Hotels at Gir provide variety of Indian and continental dishes. United-21 Vanvaso Gir is an authentic place to visit and enjoy your tour of Gujarat.

Siddi community of Gir region

Asiatic Lions in Gir National Park

Recently National Geographic and Skoda Yeti sponsored a “Right of way expedition contest” and the winners were supposed to be taken on a tour of Gir National Park. Gir, in the state of Gujarat, is the only place where you can see the pure Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat. The first three winners of the contest were lucky enough to join this exclusive tour of Gir national forest.

Siddis of Gujarat

Gir is popular for its Jungle safaris which start early morning and offer you many chances of sighting a Lion family relaxing in the grasslands of the forest. This forest was reserved for saving the lion population and now the number of these Lions has reached a satisfactory level obviously increasing your chances of sighting the king of the forest from a close distance. If you are a quick photographer then you can square the lions in the lens of your cameras in one of the best position. Apart from Lions you will be sighting the peacocks that are bold enough and might stand in a position as if they expect you to take their photograph. An entertainment at Gir can be experienced while joining the Siddis presenting their dance in traditional costumes. These are the people who have migrated long back from some of the African countries and they have made Gir forests as well as Gujarat their new home. Historical records say that these Siddis were given as slaves by the Potuguese to the Nawab of Junagadh who slowly settled around the jungles of Gir in Junagadh district. Deva-dungar is the silent village near Sirvan which is settled by the Siddi community. Settled here before three hundred years they have parted away from their original culture except a few things like the traditional dance called Dhamal which is accompanied with Goma music.

Come to Gir and get impressed by its wildlife as well as the tribal’s who are leaving in the dense forests of Gir which are surrounding the Gir National Park. Do not forget to experience the thrill of staying inside the jungle at United-21 Vanavaso resort in Gir. 

Eco Tourists Would Love to be In Gir

Tourist at Sasan Gir National Park

Tourist industry has bloomed up like anything during past few years and the world is experiencing rapid growth of this sector. It is also observed that this industry has expanded its horizons including many new concepts like Eco-tourism. It covers travelling to some of the pristine and undisturbed natural region located at different places worldwide. Unlike leisure tourism it keeps a purpose to educate the visitors regarding the odds and evens of the devastation of forests, natural treasures and alternately its effect on mankind.

Eco tourism along with the pleasures of traveling some untouched beautiful areas on the earth keep on spreading awareness among the visitors, about what will happen if these green spots on the earth along with the incredible flora and fauna imbibed in it keeps on diminishing. Many countries have already taken a lead role in educating people about this vulnerability circling life on earth. We have already started getting feel of the problems approaching in the form of global warming which might create havoc for the generations to come. We will have to be more serious about maintaining balance between nature and human progress. When we cut one tree we must plant another two, so that it will avoid the dangers of deforestation and the indirect consequences of it. If you are convinced about the importance of Eco tourism and plan to visit such places then Gir in Gujarat is the best place to visit. Experience the uniqueness of jungles of Gir with its most popular breed the Asiatic Lion along with flourishing animal and bird life. Gir National Park comprises a beautiful region of dense deciduous forest mixed with grasslands, scrub land and evergreen jungle. This sanctuary is blessed with many rivers and rivulets which put life into the region. Additionally sources of water like Kamleshwar Dam keep this area green and fertile.

If you are an Eco tourist then you would love to be in Gir which can be easily accessed from many places like Junagadh, Rajkot and Somnath. Enjoy traveling in this region by taking one of the Gir weekend tour, Lion tour, Bird watching tour or the most lucrative Gir jungle safari.

Gir an Enchanting Abode of Asiatic Lions

Asiatic lion once amply found in Indian as well as Asian jungles is becoming considerably rare. This predator which was described in the story books as king of the forest has reached a near extinction. Earlier due to their abundance in Indian jungles they were popularly called Indian lion. After the population of these royal animals with a beautiful mane reached a record low number serious efforts were made to preserve this endangered species. A save lion project implemented in the thick forests of Gir in Gujarat helped in increasing the dwindling number of these big cats. Some of the highlights of the park are

• Combined efforts of Gujarat Government, organizations dedicated to conservation of wild life and NGOs gave birth to the Sasan Gir National Park which was declared as a protected area and a national park in 1965. Exclusive flora and fauna of Gir, a wide spread area of around one thousand one hundred fifty sq.km made this region perfect as abode of the Asiatic Lions.

• This forest with more than four hundred plant species and abundance of teak is classified as dry deciduous type. Gir is an important platform of educational as well as scientific research which entertains its visitors with its plethora of attractions.

• Apart from Asiatic Lion, Gir national park preserves a number of wild animals and an exclusive three hundred species of birds. The bird population observed here consists mainly of scavengers and many resident varieties. Carnivores mainly comprise of Leopards, jungle cats, jackals, palm civets and desert cats.

• Some of the identical programs run by the Park management include Lion breeding centers with facility for artificial insemination. This program concentrates more on creating and maintaining new breeding centers. Counting of the lions is done once in five years. The park also gets credit of supplying the lions to various zoos in the country.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Visit Gir for watching closely the king of the jungles in his natural habitat at interpretation zone created at Devalia, which is located inside the sanctuary. Avail the pleasure of joining Gujarat wild life safaris, which will give you an opportunity to indulge in the calm of Gir jungles for a couple of days. 
  
  
  If you are on a tour of this region then you can stay comfortable at the Vanavaso resort in Sasan Gir. This Gir jungle resort offers luxurious rooms for the tourists with a restaurant providing some of the best menus in the region.
  
  

  

  United-21 Vanvaso Gir- wildlife resort offering luxury, efficient service and amenities that further your Lion safari experience.
  
  

  
  
  View United-21 Vanvaso Gir, Gujrat in a larger map